Megamind

Megamind is the most brilliant super–villain the world has ever known... and the least successful. Over the years, he has tried to conquer Metro City in every imaginable way – Each attempt, a colossal failure thanks to the caped superhero known as Metro Man, until the day Megamind actually defeats him in the throes of one of his botched evil plans. Suddenly, the fate of Metro City is threatened when a new villain arrives and chaos runs rampant, leaving everyone to wonder: Can the world's biggest mind actually be the one to save the day?


I'm kind of torn here. I liked this movie. I actually liked it alot. But I can't help but feel somewhat disappointed because I usually LOVE these movies. The voices were great (although Brad Pitt ended up being pretty pointless), the animation was great. The music was awesome!!! I just found myself not completely enveloped in the characters and story like I usually am. And I really can't put my finger on why. Was I in a bad mood when watching it? Maybe I'll watch it again. Am I actually starting to grow up and get over animated movies? OH DEAR LORD, I HOPE NOT!!!


Again, it's a great and fun movie. I liked it alot. I would absolutely recommend that adults and kids check this out. I just can't for the life of me figure out why I didn't love it.

Due Date

Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.) is an expectant first-time father whose wife's due date is a mere five days away. As Peter hurries to catch a flight home from Atlanta to be at her side for the birth, his best intentions go completely awry when a chance encounter with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis) forces Peter to hitch a ride with Ethan--on what turns out to be a cross-country road trip that will ultimately destroy several cars, numerous friendships and Peter's last nerve.


This is one of those movies where a track record leads to funny movies not being funny enough. Todd Phillips was doomed the second that Hangover was that funny. No matter what he churned out after that, there was no way he would be able to capture the same level or top the level of hilarity in that movie. I have always liked this guys movies. Old School is probably one of my favorite comedies of all time and Road Trip is one of those under the radar movies that I will still laugh my a$$ off watching parts of randomly on cable. All of that being said, I still enjoyed Due Date. The two guys played very well off of each other and there were some huge laughs. Unfortunately, I expected a lot more laughs and most of the really good stuff was ruined by the trailer.


Again, this isn't a bad movie. Its super short, there are huge laughs, and I definitely enjoyed it. Just be warned to not have your expectations as high as I did and you can avoid being disappointed.

Get Low

Based on a true story of a hermit who lived for forty years in the Tennessee woods. Felix Bush (Duvall) decides it is time to plan his funeral. But his funeral will not be any old macabre occasion. Organized by a local undertaker played by Bill Murray and his sidekick played by Lucas Black, the funeral will be more party than memorial and an event to which anyone and everyone will be invited and at which Bush will reveal a long kept secret.

This was a very endearing story. Who wouldn't want to do something like this? Great performances by everyone. And throughout, even though you are laughing, you are dying to know where the "secret" part is going.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out. Its more than worth your time and it a great watch.

Unstoppable

Unstoppable is about a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. The film pits an engineer and his conductor in a race against time. They're chasing the runaway train in a separate locomotive and need to bring it under control before it derails on a curve and causes a toxic spill that will decimate a town.


This was a fun, popcorn movie. You don't have to think at all. You just enjoy the ride . . . . . no pun intended. Its short. Its paced well once you get past the initial character introductions. Its got great tension even though you know damn well how the whole thing is going to play out. You really enjoy the banter between the two.


I would absolutely recommend people checking this movie out. Its not like its going to win best picture or anything, but it is simple entertainment and a great trip to the movies.

Waiting For Superman

For a nation that proudly declared it would leave no child behind, America continues to do so at alarming rates. Despite increased spending and politicians' promises, our buckling public—education system, once the best in the world, routinely forsakes the education of millions of children. Oscar®—winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth") reminds us that education "statistics" have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of "Waiting for 'Superman.'" As he follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth, Guggenheim undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, surveying "drop—out factories" and "academic sinkholes," methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems. However, embracing the belief that good teachers make good schools, Guggenheim offers hope by exploring innovative approaches taken by education reformers and charter schools that have—in reshaping the culture—refused to leave their students behind.


This documentary on how screwed up the public school system is exactly what you would expect. It's not something I would recommend watching if you are already questioning your child's education. When they went in to detail about the system and union flaws, I was very happy to have thrown in the towel in regards to teaching.


I would recommend people checking this out if they were interested in it. It's a decent watch for a documentary and is definitely eye opening to anyone who is unaware of how screwed up the system is.

You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger

Just as the characters seem to be drawing towards resolutions of their problems, they learn there are no easy ways out. In fact, amid all their disappointments, it may only have been their fantasies that have kept them going. Through the stories of the characters in "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" Woody Allen explores the human need to elude life's adversities by nurturing illusions.


I gave this movie the 20 minute lithmus test and I didn't even make it to 15 minutes. This is yet another of the whiny, too much going on Woody Allen movies. I didn't care about any of the characters or their problems and will never bother watching the rest of this. I really wish that Woody Allen could find it in himself to go back to doing comedies. Outside of maybe one or two movies in the last 10-15 years of his follow this same template of annoyance and too much across the board.


I wouldn't recommend anyone checking this out . . . . . . unless you are a fan of Woody Allen's movies like this. If that's the case - go right ahead and enjoy.

Paranormal Activity 2

Made for about $15,000, Paranormal Activity became a box office sensation as it earned $194 million worldwide.


The first movie was one of the creepiest movie going experiences ever. It stuck with me for awhile. When I heard about the sequel I figured it would be total garbage a la The Blair Witch Project 2. How would they remotely be able to recapture that psychological creepiness? Shockingly, they did. The answer is involve a toddler and SPOILER ALERT . . . . . have this movie take place side by side the first one with the two characters from the first one in this as well. The timeline of this movie takes place before, during and after the first one. It's got the same freaky build up, the same scanning the screen feeling for things going wrong and the same quick scene frak outs as the first one. The only knock that I can make on this movie is that they cast someone that I have seen in acting roles before as the mom. It took away from the whole "did this really happen feeling".


I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the first one. You will surprisingly not be disappointed.

Life As We Know It

Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is an up-and-coming caterer and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) is a promising network sports director. After a disastrous first date, the only thing they have in common is their dislike for each other and their love for their goddaughter, Sophie. But when they suddenly become all Sophie has in the world, Holly and Messer are forced to put their differences aside. Juggling career ambitions and competing social calendars, they'll have to find some common ground while living under one roof.


This movie is one of those definition of formula movies. You saw the trailer . . . . . .well then you know every step that this movie is going to take. That being said, I still really enjoyed the movie. The chemistry was legit and you bought in to the life changes that were put on them. And its very hard for me to say this because I tend to find Katherine Heigl beyond annoying. She essentially plays the same role that she has played in every movie.


I would actually recommend people checking this one out. Its not a must see and is totally predictable in every way but I still liked it and didn't feel like I was wasting my time at all.

For Colored Girls

For Colored Girls brings to the screen Ntozake Shange's Obie Award-winning play, a poetic exploration of what is to be of color and a female in this world.


I knew just from the opening credits scene that this movie would be nothing more than background noise while doing chores around the house. I love the character of Madea in Tyler Perry's movies. I watch them and try to get through the crazy over dramatic stories and just enjoy the laughs. Once you take that character and the laughs away, the drama is just waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. In this movie, you would think that Tyler Perry had some sort of a meeting with Nicholas Sparks and Woody Allen on how to have way too many characters/stories going on and all of them with massive hardships.


I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. Unless you have a need to be depressed and need inspiration to jump off a bridge.

You Again

Successful PR pro Marni (Kristen Bell) heads home for her older brother's (Jimmy Wolk) wedding and discovers that he's marrying her high school arch nemesis (Odette Yustman), who's conveniently forgotten their problematic past. Then the bride's jet-setting aunt (Sigourney Weaver) bursts in and Marni's not-so-jet-setting mom (Jamie Lee Curtis) comes face to face with her own high school rival. The claws come out and old wounds are opened in this crazy comedy that proves that not all rivalries are forever.


This movie is exactly what you would expect from the trailer. There are no surprises. You know damn well how its going to play out before you even sit down. There are some good laughs scattered throughout. Thats really about it. Oh, there is one more thing. This movie has been at the forefront of the Betty White hype push yet she really isn't in the movie that much at all. What's that about?


I'd lukewarmly recommend people checking this one out. There are better comedies out there than this completely formula movie.

My Soul To Take

In the sleepy town of Riverton, legend tells of a serial killer who swore he would return to murder the seven children born the night he died. Now, 16 years later, people are disappearing again. Has the psychopath been reincarnated as one of the seven teens, or did he survive the night he was left for dead? Only one of the kids knows the answer. Adam "Bug" Heller (Max Thieriot) was supposed to die on the bloody night his father went insane. Unaware of his dad's terrifying crimes, he has been plagued by nightmares since he was a baby. But if Bug hopes to save his friends from the monster that's returned, he must face an evil that won't rest... until it finishes the job it began the day he was born.


This movie was a total waste. Good looking serial killer. Old school kill sequences. However, they didn't spend a single second building a story. They just kind of blurted it out and ran around killing people for a while. With the slightest ounce of substance this movie could have been a decent throwback to the serial killer movies of old. Unfortunately, they really didn't care enough to bother.


I really wouldn't recommend anyone waste their time watching this. It's not remotely worth it in any way whatsoever.

Middle Men

In 1995, everyone had a VCR, music was sold in record stores, and the world-wide-web was a new found discovery. Businessman Jack Harris (Luke Wilson) had the perfect life - a beautiful family and a successful career fixing problem companies. And then he met Wayne Beering (Giovanni Ribisi) and Buck Dolby (Gabriel Macht), two genius but troubled men, who had invented the way adult entertainment is sold over the internet. When Jack agrees to help steer their business, he soon finds himself caught between a 23 year-old porn star and the FBI all the while becoming one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of his time.


I was very surprised at how good this movie ended up being. I pretty much went in to it expecting it to just be an excuse for nudity and had a back up plan in case to bail and get another movie checked off my list. However, the nudity wasn't over the top considering that the movie is about pornography and the internet. The movie ended up being more about dealing with the mob and the feds and had some pretty enjoyable performances. Luke Wilson was his usual self where you find yourself laughing even though he is completely straight faced. His character was very believable and you found yourself rooting for him.


I would definitely recommend people checking this out. It is a surprisingly good watch.

It's Kind Of A Funny Story

It's 5:00 AM on a Sunday in Brooklyn. Craig Gilner (Keir Gilchrist) is bicycling up to the entrance of a mental health clinic; this bright 16-year-old is stressed out from the demands of being a teenager. Before his parents (Lauren Graham and Jim Gaffigan) and younger sister are even awake, Craig checks himself into Argenon Hospital and is admitted by a psychiatrist. But the youth ward is temporarily closed – so he finds himself stuck in the adult ward. One of the patients, Bobby (Zach Galifianakis), soon becomes both Craig's mentor and protégé. Craig is also quickly drawn to another 16-year-old displaced to the adult ward, the sensitive Noelle (Emma Roberts), who just might make him forget his longtime unrequited crush Nia (Zoë Kravitz). With a minimum five days' stay imposed on him by the adult ward's staff psychiatrist Dr. Eden Minerva (Viola Davis), Craig is sustained by friendships on both the inside and the outside as he learns more about life, love, and the pressures of growing up.

This was a "sweet" movie. It's not a must see. It's not nearly as funny as the trailers made it out to be. It doesn't do a total nose dive in to a drama that was advertised as a comedy. It has laughs. It hooks you with the characters. It ends up making you feel good and happy to be alive.

I would recommend people checking this out. It's one of those under the radar movies that is a much more enjoyable watch than major/wide releases.

Let Me In

Let Me In tells a terrifying tale about an alienated 12-year old boy named Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who is viciously bullied by his classmates and neglected by his divorcing parents. Achingly lonely, Owen spends his days plotting revenge on his middle school tormentors and his evenings spying on the other inhabitants of his apartment complex. His only friend is his new neighbor Abby (Chloe Moretz), an eerily self-possessed young girl who lives next door with her silent father (Richard Jenkins). A frail, troubled child about Owen's age, Abby emerges from her heavily curtained apartment only at night and always barefoot, seemingly immune to the bitter winter elements. Recognizing a fellow outcast, Owen opens up to her and before long, the two have formed a unique bond.

I am shocked at how great this movie was and mad I didn't see it while it was out in theaters. This movie is equal parts gory movie, scary movie and character drama. I found myself so into the two "kids" and wanting to see where the story would take them and at the same time dying for the next crazy or creepy attack type scene.

I definitely recommend people checking this out . . . . . . as long as you can handle some pretty gory scenes. Its really a well done movie and a very enjoyable watch. Never thought I would characterize something as a legitamite horror/drama.

Conviction

Conviction is the inspirational true story of a sister's unwavering devotion to her brother. When Betty Anne Waters' (Hilary Swank) older brother Kenny (Sam Rockwell) is arrested for murder and sentenced to life in 1983, Betty Anne, a Massachusetts wife and mother of two, dedicates her life to overturning the murder conviction. Convinced that her brother is innocent, Betty Anne puts herself through high school, college and, finally, law school in an 18 year quest to free Kenny. With the help of best friend Abra Rice (Minnie Driver), Betty Anne pours through suspicious evidence mounted by small town cop Nancy Taylor (Melissa Leo), meticulously retracing the steps that led to Kenny's arrest. Belief in her brother - and her quest for the truth - pushes Betty Anne and her team to uncover the facts and utilize DNA evidence with the hope of exonerating Kenny.

Don't get me wrong. This is a great movie and an even greater story. The performances were great across the board. Unfortunately, I just felt that this was one of those movies that was blatantly going for the heartstrings instead of really making you connect with the characters. I also never thought I would complain about something like this, but the movie at just under 2 hours was actually too short. It felt as if they flew through the 18 year journey too fast.

Even with the knocks against the movie, I wouldn't tell people to refrain from seeing it. Its still a good watch. I just felt like they could have made the movie better instead of trying to make the audience cry.

Never Let Me Go

Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) live in a world and a time that feel familiar to us, but are not quite like anything we know. They spend their childhood at Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. When they leave the shelter of the school and the terrible truth of their fate is revealed to them, they must also confront the deep feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal that threaten to pull them apart.

I am shocked at how much I enjoyed this movie! I'm sure that thinking I was seeing one of those pride & prejudice type movies. I had no clue that this powerful character drama has a sci-fi premise in a old english like setting. It was like that movie The Island taking place in that movie The Village with awesome performances. Put that all together and I was so unexplainably intrigued from beginning to end. I had every intention of giving this bad boy the 20 minute test and it not passing. Instead, I spent the rest of my day making sure I saw the whole movie.

I would definitely recommend you checking this out if you have the chance. I could see this getting a lot of recognition come award time.